new posters are rarely posting useful system specs

[johnhoh]

Seems like way too many new posters have something like "win7 x64" as the totality of their specs. Just wanted to start a discussion on how to improve this.

Brink has posted a tutorial on how to use CyberZeus' tool to make it easy to fill out one's specs automatically if you use IE, and manually otherwise. But so many new posters are just not doing it. My guess is not many people are using IE and people just do not want to go through the effort of the manual method? Or perhaps do we need a more forceful statement at registration to motivate people to fill out their specs? What does everyone think?

 

[z3r010]

IE use here is around 10% and falling.


We've tried all kinds of things over the years and there is no solution, the more info you try to force at registration the lower registration rates go, currently we ask for a lot of info but only a few things are required.

 

[Bat 1]

It's a common problem on pretty much every Forum of people not giving enough info on their equipment. A lot of times it's because English is a second or third language for the poster. Sometimes I think some people are ashamed of their Rig when there's no reason for that. I do agree that there should be a minimum amount of Date required before anyone attempts to give help.

Personally I'm finally down from 19 desktops to only 5 now along with My Beloved G780 "Gremlin" and a couple of tablets and the phones. I multi-boot most of the PCs, but My personal "Daily Driver" is Win 8.1 so that's the only thing I posted.

 

[Brink]

Yep, pretty much all we can do is ask the OP to provide the needed information for us to be able to help.

 

[RolandJS]

I can't remember, does the system stats allow for more than one computer? Let's say on Monday - it is laptop A; Wednesday - it is laptop B. Meaning we have to type in full stats every time we enter another computer into the threads, and we lose all the info on the earlier computer.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
One can use the Other Information area for a second machine


Otherwise all a forum can do is make it an option to be able to enter system spec's many forums don't go that far

 

[johnhoh]

Was thinking that we might give posters a second option for specs - 1) normal full system specs that go in your profile if you anticipate being a regular on sevenforums (which is our current mode), and 2) brief/easy/cut-n-paste into your one post method which would give only win7 version, ram, cpu, motherboard, and hard drive. I looked around today for a tool that would produce an abbreviated summary like that, but found nothing. All system spec tools appear to produce 20 or more line items, so not sure that would work.

 

[OvenMaster]

Sometimes I think some people are ashamed of their Rig when there's no reason for that.

My own rig is made up of some ancient parts. I do realize that it's not current anymore, so I no longer have any cause to brag. There's still plenty of horsepower under the hood for my purposes though.

I've noticed that on hardware forums, everyone seems proud to post their rigs' specs. Perhaps because this is a Windows OS forum, newer users don't realize the need to mention hardware or do not know why or how it interacts with the OS.

 

[johnhoh]

Perhaps because this is a Windows OS forum, newer users don't realize the need to mention hardware or do not know why or how it interacts with the OS.

Excellent point. Everyone assumes that since their hardware has been working fine for years, surely their issue has nothing to do with hardware.

 

[AddRAM]

As Shawn has said, if the OP does not let us know what hardware is involved in their particular case, all we can do is ask in a polite manner

I`ve always thought to myself that this is a Windows 7 forum and not a particular PC or hardware forum, but we do what we can.

I`m just disappointed when someone comes along and has a question about some piece of hardware when they haven`t even contacted the manufacture yet, or even googled the issue.

 

[georgeks]

Can we all agree on asking this information only if we think it is needed?


I agree with John that people can be intimidated when asked to provide too much technical information -let's face it, computer savvy persons are fast becoming an endangered species...

 

[Layback Bear]

I asked the same question years ago and got the same answer (Johns post #2)

Thinking on the problem of system specs longer I have come up with a thought. Grab your aspirin. I'm thinking again.

Most new people are looking for one of these buttons and think we got one.



Now that the new member are signed up looking for help we can give guidance.
One of my first suggestion for these new people is to complete this tutorial by Brink.

System Info - See Your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Note:
I do have two very nice computer and I'm happy to show them in (My System Specs) but they are there for others to use if and when I need help.
We need system specs to give proper guidance in my opinion and that is what I try to explain to the new members.

Yes I know it's a pain in the (axxx) to ask for the information, but it's necessary.

This forum is like all other forums on the net; we want and need new members.
Posting Brinks tutorial is my way for a new member to get started. If the new member has problems with completing Brinks tutorial we have are work cut out for us. Everybody has their own learning curve.

Another useful tutorial is by Kari, for more advance users in my opinion.

Speccy - Publish Snapshot of your System Specs - Windows 7 Help Forums

Just my thoughts.

Jack

 

[RoWin7]

I've been very active in other puter forums for many years. I put as much info as possible into my signature, instead of a joke or cool image. I change the sig as my puter changes. On a hardware forum, I'd be more specific about hardware. For most forums, Speccy is overkill.

Problem with "stickying" guidelines on any forum is that most people don't read them. Layback, I don't know if you're a mod, but having the Speccy link in your replies is more effective than having sticky threads, more visible. I think the SystemInfo link would be too hard for many people.

 

[Barman58]

As we are one of, if not, the largest and best independent Windows 7 Forum the way we handle specs is proven to work better than others that have been tried - And we will not be changing it anytime soon. Accurate details of hardware and software displayed in an organised manner is far better than any random Signature

 

[Layback Bear]

@ RoWin7

No I'm not a Mod. or Super Mod.
I'm just like the other folks on this site. Just trying to help others and learn.

Jack

 

[Mellon Head]

We've actually had a few new people in the past who have become downright hostile when asked to provide their system specs. I'm not sure that I understand this behavior, but I guess it is what it is.

For my part, I try to help without system specs if I am able to, but I'm not averse to politely asking a new member to provide their specs. If they provide them, then we progress and try to solve the issue. If they don't, I may ask again, but never more than twice. Even if it is something that I can't help with, I will often ask for specs to help other forum members to help that person. It's my way of contributing to the thread, even though I might be stumped.

I do wish that there was an effective way to help new members to understand how vital specs can be in some circumstances. Unfortunately, I haven't found one.